Why giving matters

It’s giving Tuesday and you’re being bombarded with requests for donations. We know this can be overwhelming and even, for some, annoying.

But when I trained in development work, I learned a surprising fact. The number one reason potential donors identify for not giving is “no one asked me.”

That’s why we ARE asking you to donate to Beyond Nuclear today, on Giving Tuesday. As the airlines say, “we know you have many choices, so thank you for flying with us.”

Of course, we understand — and actually hope — that we are one among several or even many worthy recipients, given how many important causes need to be addressed. After all, everything is connected. So, why choose Beyond Nuclear?

At the end of the day, as we direct our donations toward fixing the many problems close to home — and for some of you, the nuclear problem is very much close to home — we must also look at the bigger picture.

Even if we feed and house everyone, rescue every abandoned animal, and support the myriad other causes — all of which we absolutely must do — those efforts will go to waste if we don’t also address our two biggest existential threats: the climate crisis and nuclear war.

To avoid the calamity of climate change, we must drastically reduce our carbon emissions. To avoid nuclear war we must abolish nuclear weapons. Nuclear power stands in the way of achieving both these essential goals.

Our mission at Beyond Nuclear is to end all use of nuclear power and to prevent its further expansion. Whether it’s about stopping the license extensions of old reactors — many of which are dangerously degraded and accidents waiting to happen — or blocking plans for new ones, we are hard at work every day to avoid another nuclear calamity. Your donation today can help ensure a safer tomorrow.

Just as importantly, we know from empirical research and on-the-ground evidence, that choosing nuclear power impedes progress on climate change mitigation in two ways:

(1) Vast sums of money and vast amounts of time are wasted that could be spent on faster, cheaper renewables instead. We would reduce more carbon faster deploying renewables than making the same investment in nuclear power.

(2) As we wait for slow, expensive new reactors to arrive (if ever), thereby reducing or even canceling out renewable energy development, we continue to use fossil fuels.

Both of these outcomes make climate change worse.

Then there’s the nuclear weapons connection. The technology, materials, personnel and know-how needed to run a commercial nuclear power industry also provide the wherewithal to transition to a nuclear weapons program. This is the only reason so many countries are vying for a nuclear energy program.

If you are Saudi Arabia, for example, in need of replacing oil use with an alternative energy source, why would you choose wildly expensive and slow nuclear power over solar or wind energy? There is only one explanation: it delivers the capability to transition to nuclear weapons production.

This is precisely the debate around Iran: is it enriching uranium for purely commercial use? Or is it quietly transitioning to a full-fledged nuclear bomb program?

This is what makes the work we do at Beyond Nuclear so important. Without ridding ourselves of nuclear power, we can never successfully address the climate crisis and we will never abolish nuclear weapons. Please consider making a generous online donation today.

So, while we cannot provide you in the near-term with encouraging statistics about the numbers of lives we saved, in the long run, if we abolish nuclear power, that number could be all of us.

Nuclear power is the boulder in the way of our survival. Our efforts may feel Sisyphean at times, but with many hands pushing, it will be made far easier. You can help us get to the top of the mountain.

Thank you for your ongoing support. And thank you for giving today, as generously as you can. This is our most important fund-raising season. We depend on you to continue our work.

(Headline photo: Alexas_Photos_Unsplash)